What document is required by the Joint Commission before surgery is performed?

The document required by the Joint Commission before surgery is the Patient Consent Form. This form serves as a critical component in the surgical process, ensuring that the patient is fully informed about the procedure, including associated risks, benefits, and alternatives. It is designed to protect both the patient’s rights and the healthcare provider by confirming that the patient has voluntarily agreed to undergo the surgery after understanding the necessary information.

While the history and physical examination is an essential part of preoperative preparation, it primarily focuses on the patient's medical background and current health status to ensure they are fit for surgery. However, it is the patient consent form that specifically addresses the patient's voluntary agreement to the procedure, which is a paramount requirement from regulatory bodies like the Joint Commission.

Advance directives, on the other hand, inform healthcare providers about patients' wishes regarding their medical care in situations where they may not be able to communicate these wishes themselves, and a discharge summary records the patient's condition and care upon leaving the facility. Neither of these documents is specifically required prior to performing surgery.